There's an Avant in my future

[S2central.net]

But which one you guys - any expert advice from the assembled masses here ?

Its for the other half primarily but it needs to have a lot more torque than the weedy (high mileage) A4 1.8 SE we will be struggling to sell or trade in.

Say around 2000-2002 - all quattro models of course... with the 6-speed box where applicable.

Anything I should be watching for in particular (beyond the normal things related to suspension made from balsa wood). I've never owned a diesel

A4 1.9 or 2.5 TDi - what are the applicable engine codes ?

A6 - 2.5TDi - are these V6 engines same as the A4 or different ?

The allroad also has lots of appeal in 2.5TDi fashion. Is this essentially a more robust version of the A6 with higher ride height etc etc ? I know it doesn't have a manual option - anything to worry about on Tiptronic systems ?

I'm just generally confused by the numerous output claims on different versions of the 2.5TDi engine. I'd really like to understand the engine numbers on these wagons but so far a web search hasn't found what I need.

Any previous owning experiences and niggles would be great - I'm actively looking now. My feeling is the A4 will be too small - as our 4yr old son will have a sidekick next Spring.


Cheers all,

Paul

[s2driveruk]

Paul there is a manual 2.5tdi version of the a6/allroad as we are in the process of looking casually for one, believe me you'll need the increased height as the front of an a6 will easily get stuck over a normal curb resulting in a broken airdam....btdt having said that a replacement bumper can be found for £80 so no major nightmares except the cost of getting one sprayed up!

Congrats on the wee one in the oven

A6 avant has been great, in 1.9 form it has plenty of kit, loads of front and rear space, cruises well at 90mph and returns heathly mpg too. 2.5 comes in 150, 163 and 180bhp versions and they are far smoother than the 1.9 especially at idle.

You'll pay the same for an A4 tdi as you will for an A6 at least thats what we found, the a4 is a much more desirable, 'lifestyle' estate but isn't huge in the boot.

Niggles so far: mystery coolant loss (unresolved), does like to chew through oil from time to time, expect the standard concert head unit with cassette player to have either volume problems or eat a tape and not spit it out and an odd rumble in the exhaust which i think is a broken baffle at 78K miles. Suspension so far is clunk free though I have heard of problems.

Its our first diesel and to be honest if i sold the S2 for another car, it would be a diesel from now on, you just cannot ignore decent power and torque with less trips the the pump

Overall, great family lugger and as much as I like the a4 avants i'd have an allroad instead!

Cheers
David

[Martynf]

Paul,

I've had 2x V6 2.5TDi A4's (the old shape) both tiptronic Avants, and 3x 1.9 TDi's all manual Avants, a 1.9TDI A6 Avant 2001 and borrowed a Allroad for a few weekends (all whilst working in the dealers!!) and each has a real specific niche.

The 2.5 TDI A4's plus points are huge torque. Bad points, fuel consumption is NOT what you would like to get, not from a V6 tipronic Quattro. Fuel use is heavy. Noise, especially from cold, a cold V6 TDI will make your neighbours think you just started a 16 ltr Perkins, they are terrible from cold (and I love TDi's!)

The 1.9TDI 130hp or 110hp B5 A4, good allrounder engine, one of the best I think. Superb economy + performance. All B5 A4's have awful rear legroom.

A6 1.9 TDI Avant, the biggest load lugger with good performance and good fuel economy. Make no mistake, the A6 is massive internally! MUCH bigger than an A4. The space in the front and rear is huge and the Avant is BIG. Get lucky and you'll get a 7 seater with the two kiddy seats in the Avant.

A4 Avants look good, best with 1.9 TDI engine 110 or 130 either is great really. Poor rear legroom, better resale.
A6 Avant, BIG, that could also be a pitfall maybe. Loads more comfortable than an A4. 1.9 TDI again I think is best.
Allroad - what can you say about the Allroad, The only worthy successor to my S2 Avant :-) I love the Allroad. Choice of gas guzzling 2.7T (what a stunning spread of torque everywhere :-) ) or the diesel guzzling 2.5TDi, loud and rattly. Tough call.... I love em!

Hope that helps mate.

[S2central.net]

Cheers chaps... nice to get some BTDT info on these.

I must admit I'm leaning away from the A4 Avant more and more - its just not big enough, but it is the most economical of the choices. Rear legroom is the biggest problem and thats more of a problem with toddlers than you'd think as their car seats tend to push them up quite high and further forward - reducing comfort even more.

Just figured the newer Avants have ISO-FIX apparatus in the back which might make for snugger fitting kiddie seats. Hmmmm have to check that out maybe...

Sure the A4 Avant looks good enough but my 1st choice is an allroad. No way can I afford the fuel bill on a 2.7T so its gonna have to be the TDi.

The A6 is very nice though but as there is the potential for a rather long bumpy lane in my future, an extra point must go to the allroad for that too.

Just remembered I can surf the family album for the relevant engine codes.

Paul

[s2driveruk]

Paul, even in the a6 with a non isofix carseat (brittax something) my not so little one can brush the front passenger seat with his mucky shoes....In the latest generation A4 we had as a courtesy car the other month that was even more of an issue.

BTW you based in Belfast? I'm over there quite often these days, if you are central and fancy a pint of the 'black gold' let me know

[S2central.net]

A pint or few would be grand. Let me know when you are in town... I work near the University area so theres any number of decent pubs within staggering distance... or its 10 mins walk into the centre.

Paul

[s2driveruk]

indeedy, think i am over on the 24th but not sure of the 'agenda' just yet, i'll give you a bell closer to the time... I'm usually at BT Riverside or out the back of town on an industrial park - forget the name....

[Alistair E]

Tdi Avants

Paul

The other half has just moved from a T reg A4 Avant Tdi(110) to a Y reg A6 Avant 2.5Tdi(150). This was becoming necessary for the little ones (aged 1 & 3) as either one of the could kick the back of my seat. Difference in cabin space is significant, as is the boot space. No more muddy shoes on the seats.
Mpg is not too bad. A4 on a run would comfortably do 50mpg whereas A6 is looking more like 45mpg. A4 would average 46 overall, A6 is 41.
Do agree about the engine noise when cold, but it's as quiet as the 1.9 once it's warmed up. It pulls very well which was the reason for getting the 2.5 as we have a large caravan.
Tim Cooper warned me to watch for damp carpets in the pasenger footwell. He said something about the ecu being located there and you can imagine the problems associated with that getting wet.
He also mentioned that the cambelt is a sod of a job. I paid to have ours changed which I would never normally do.
This info is only based on 6 weeks ownership, but if anything else crops up I'll let you know.

Cheers

Alistair

[S2central.net]

Only 41 average MPG sounds plenty good to me for 150bhp 2.5 TDi.
Guess the 180bhp variant drops to about 36 average ?

Cheers

[S2central.net]

The family album gives lots of information on the various engine & tranny combinations. Sure enough there is a 6-speed manual variant on the 2.5TDi...

Actually there are two - one ordinary setup and a proper offroadable version with a selectable low ratio gearset. To confuse matters futher there are various transmission codes within each of the two variants.

The AKE seems to be the engine I'm after then. It was replaced with the BAU mid 2003 (which probably has better emissions) but that will be way outta my price league.

Paul

[Markus]

I have no personal experience regarding the V6 TDI:s, but there has been reports on camshaft wear problems. Probably worth some research before you make your decision.